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DPL: Extend lease term for public lands
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Posted on Apr 03 2008
The Department of Public Lands has asked the Legislature to consider extending the permissible term for public land leases in the Commonwealth.
DPL Secretary John S. Del Rosario said this would have a greater impact on the economy than a pending move to extend allowable leasehold terms for private lands.
He argued that there is little private property left for purposes of major investment. Most of major investments, he added, are located on—or in the process of leasing—public property.
Del Rosario also noted that other jurisdictions in the region have extended land leases to 99 years. That is more than double the 40 years allowed in the Northern Marianas.
“The extension of public land leases for the same period (99 years) will not change land ownership, but enhance the dire need for both sides to engage in sturdy planning and lasting partnership in the highest and best use of indigenous land,” he told the House Committee on Natural Resources.
The committee is reviewing House Legislative Initiative 16-4, which seeks to increase leasehold interests for private lands up to 75 years, from 55 years.
A public hearing on the proposed constitutional amendment, as well as two similar initiatives, was held at the Legislature on Wednesday evening.
In the legislative hearing, Marianas Public Land Trust proposed that the Legislature defer action on the initiative until 2011, when the CNMI is scheduled to decide on land alienation restrictions.
The Strategic Economic Development Council, a group of business and government leaders, reiterated its support for the initiative.
Sponsored by Rep. Heinz Hofschneider, House Legislative Initiative 16-4 requires approval by three-fourths of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
After that, the proposed constitutional amendment must be certified by the Commonwealth Election Commission and placed on the ballot at a special election set for April 19, 2008.
If approved by majority of voters, new leases on private lands will be extended to 75 years, while existing leasehold agreements may be renegotiated for a new lease term of up to 75 years.
